Tip leads to large heroin bust

I don't know what a bag of heroin costs, but I know that Two thousand Two hundred bags of heroin is alot of "junk" as we called it back in the early 80's. The people who split hairs about the value of the drug, rather then looking at the thousands of bags the Sheriffs Dept Vice unit kept from hitting the streets, obviously are drug dealers or anti Causey. Could this be because their candidate didn't win the last Sheriffs election. Keep up the good work Sheriff's Dept. Sheriff Causey, if you seek re-election, you have my support.

It's true that not everyone is guilty and it's sad how people are so quick to judge without knowing all the circumstances, especially when we are talking about someone like Joe Perry. I've worked with Joe for over 5 years and know him to be a warm, kind, caring man with an incredible work ethic. He even called from prison to let us know that he would not be in as he was worried about losing his jobs, yes JOBS, 3 of them. He had been looking into a 4th part-time job in security because his wife was complaining that they didn't have enough money. His wife, one of the others being held in this case, had gotten sick quite awhile back and he stayed by her side, cared for her and their 2 children AND kept working to pay the bills. I ask you, would a drug dealer work that much?? Several weeks back, Joe confided to me that he and his wife had split up and that she had asked him to leave because she wanted to lead her own life. He was devistated. He was staying with his mom and would go back to his house on occassion to watch/visit his two girls and/or use the computer at his house. He hadn't even been living in the house, how could he have known what was going on??? The house belongs to him, but the heroine didn't, I believe this in my heart and so do the people I know that know Joe. As for me, I miss my friend very much and would gladly stand up for him in court if need be. He is an honest, hardworking man and doesn't deserve what has happened to him. As for the other 2, I pray that justice will serve them what they deserve for what they were trying to do to society and for what they have put my friend Joe and his family through. If there is ONE innocent man in all of New Hanover County prison, it is Joe Perry. We miss you Joe. You are in our prayers.

In response to "Everyone is not always guilty"...The only prayer I have for those two people is that they'll be put away for such a long time, they'll have trouble remembering their own names. Prayers for their souls? Ha! They were caught red-handed with illegal, deadly drugs that were, possibly, going to be used by someone in your circle of relatives, friends, or colleagues. As I say, the only prayer I have is that justice is served in the proper way and that they will be jailed for a long, long time. How would you feel if they sold heroin to your son? Would you then claim that not "everyone is not always guilty"?

I commend the sheriff department for the work that they have been doing to remove drugs from Wilmington... Drugs are a Horrible!!!! I hate to be negative..... BUT I want to know why is it that Sid Causey wants to do something know... When he has been in law enforcement forever... And all of a sudden he wants to perform... Well it wasnt until Wilmington Police Ralph Evangelous decided to step up and take control.... Did Sid want to get in... I commend you as well Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous!!! Continue to do what you do!!! You have ALOT of SUPPORTORS!!!!Thanks for putting FIRE to his bottom!!!!! Back to the drug bust..... THANK GOD!!!! any off the street is better than none...

DONT JUDGE PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW THEIR SITUATION. SHARRON AND JOSEPH YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS.

So.. Mr. False Numbers.. what is your deal? Some of these respondents think you're a drug user or a drug dealer. No folks.. he's none of those. He's a former cop who couldn't make it and now has to bash the Sheriff's Office in any way he can to retaliate. That's how he knows so much about the weights and the cuts. The fact is that it really doesn't matter what the weight is and it doesn't matter how they recovered it. What matters is that it's off the streets of New Hanover County. Don't try to bring down the rest of the county with your negative comments. These guys do the best they can with what they've got... don't be jealous, be proud. Oh, and if your going to be defensive with fancy numbers and such, at least use spell check. "Qauntities" is spelled quantities. Be proud of those who serve this county!

Amen !! I say thanks also. The more street drugs gone the less crime in our town. Keep up the good work officers.

Reading your e-mail to wwwtv3.com regarding the prices and weights of heroin, it would seem that you know your stuff (no pun intended!) And from the detailed information you provided in your e-mail, I would guess that you have been involved (to some degree) with drugs, either as a user or knowing a family or friend who is/was. If this is so, you surely know the gut-wrenching pain of addiction not only to the user but, also, to the user's nearest and dearest. My question to you is: Are you able to give any tips to the local police about the "people" involved in drug dealings? If you do (and you decide to make a phone-call to the local police), please know that there are many fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and grandparents who would (privately) thank you for helping to rid Wilmington of pushers and dealers.

Hey! A good idea would be to call the Sheriff's Department (798-4200) and ask for Sid Causey's office. Once through, you can simply leave a message re: the recent heroin bust to say "Thank you." This way, the Sheriff's Department will know that members of our community greatly appreciate all that they are doing to remove drugs from the streets, alleyways, etc.

Whatever the weight, actual cost to dealers and users, the grim and awful facts remain: Drugs especially heroin and crack cocaine (almost always) ruin the user's life and cause untold misery and heartache to the drug abuser's families. This untold misery and heartache--all too often--includes the drug abuser's children. Now, if only those caught in the recent heroin bust are given jail sentences worthy of their crimes: Long! This way, they can spend miserable days/weeks/years behind bars where they aren't able to provide the drugs to abusers. Perhaps the scum who sell/deal drugs experience the same misery as the drug abuser's families do.

I am so proud of all the hero's that risk their lives every day to keep us all saft. Thank-you for taking more drugs off the streets. I have seen first hand the grief that comes with watching a love one suffer because of that poison. May God bless each and every one of you and I pray that he keeps you in his care.

Good show, glad to see this poison off the streets and the scumbags in jail.....superb job!

Nice Job New Hanover County Sheriffs Office. I've noticed lately that your men and women have made some big arrests of folks bringing this junk to our town. Keep up the good work!!

Ok, once again, lets have a look at the truth of these numbers. 1 bag of heroin = $20(max) $100,000/2,000 bags=$50 per bag The maximum value of this heroin if $40,000. Often the "value" of drugs are inflated by law enforcement because the drugs will be cut before they get to the user, especially in dealing with large qauntities of cocaine and heroin. In the case of this heroin, it is already packed individually and rarely if ever is the cut further(usually because brands or "stamps" have an expected purity level which users know to pursue.) These bags go for $20 at the most, and usually less if a user buys several(While bags are typically thought of as a dose, quality depending, most users consume more than one at a time.) Also, these bags typically weigh .06g or 6/100 of a gram. Therefore, the weight of this seizure is likely 120 grams - a little less than an eighth kilogram and a little more than a qaurter of a pound. While this is no small amount, it is a mere drop in the bucket of what this town consumes in say a week. As for the gentlemen who were transporting the drugs, they are facing a substantial amount of time in prison. If prosecuted in state court they will receive approx. 18-23 years for each count of trafficking (NC laws allow for multiple charges of trafficking arrising from a single incident or seizure, i.e. trafficking by possession, trafficking by transport, trafficking by conspiracy, etc.) If they are federally prosecuted many factors will be considered (Prior criminal history, presence of gun in vehicle, cooperation with authorities of accused and others, duration and amount of drugs attributed to their conspiracy to distribute, and many more.) I will say that this is a sign of good work on behalf of the Sheriff's Vice and Narcotics team, but the plain and simple false numbers they are reporting is unacceptable. They know good and well how the drug game goes as they deal with users and dealers daily and get their information primarily from these folks (You don't think they just happened upon 120 grams of heroin, do you?) As for the defendants, better see about a plea bargain!

Well done to the Sheriff's Department for taking so much of this evil drug off our streets. The families and friends of those with drug addictions also thank you. With ongoing busts like this one, hopefully, in time, Wilmington (and surrounding areas) will become "zero tolerance" to drug dealers and drug trafficking(sp?). Thanks again to all those involved with the drug bust!

Many thanks to the New Hanover Sheriff's Department for taking this evil drug off our streets. Family and friends of those battling drug addiction ask that you continue your hard work until Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and surrounding areas become known as "zero tolerance" re: drugs.

Many thanks to New Hanover Sheriff's Department for taking this evil drug off the streets and to the person who gave the tip. Family and friends of those who are/have struggled with drug addiction thank you for your digilence and hard work.